Grace's tone was calm, yet it held not a trace of jest.

  "Miss Dorothy, there's really no need to call the police." Seeing this, Mr Jones quickly pressed down on Grace's hand. He spoke somewhat urgently, accidentally pulling the muscles on his cheek, making him gasp in pain.

  Although Paulina felt sorry for her husband, she also knew that the bigger picture was important at this moment. She also shook her head slightly, signaling Grace to let it go.

  Just then, someone seemed to recognize Eric and quickly approached Mr Jones, whispering a few words in his ear.

  Mr Jones's expression changed upon hearing this, and he instinctively looked at Eric.

  The young master of the Dylan Investment Group?

  He couldn't afford to offend him, let alone hold a grudge!

  A server brought an ice pack. Mr Jones used the opportunity to address the crowd. "It's alright, everyone, please go back inside. I need to apply this ice quickly."

  As he spoke, he looked at Grace and sighed softly. "Miss Dorothy, please handle your friend."

  Grace naturally felt apologetic. Mr Jones had clearly suffered this inexplicable punch because of her. As a successful individual with a social standing, and on an occasion like this, such an incident would more or less damage his pride.

  "That... I'm sorry, sir. I was impulsive. I'm willing to compensate." Eric's reason seemed to have finally returned. Seeing Mr Jones about to leave, he hurriedly stepped forward to apologize, trying to salvage something.

  But Mr Jones just looked at him, shook his head, and, without another word, returned to the banquet hall supported by Paulina.

  Seeing this, the others also pretended nothing had happened and returned to the party. At least no one would stay behind at this moment to witness Mr Jones's embarrassment.

  Soon, the banquet hall door was closed again. Besides the two security guards, only Grace, Eric, and Clara—who was glaring at Grace with an indignant expression—remained at the entrance.

  Grace took a deep breath and turned to face Eric.

  Her gaze was bone-chillingly cold, sending a shiver down Eric's spine.

  "Grace... I..." Eric faltered, his handsome face full of panic and guilt. His mouth twitched for a long moment before he managed to say, "I'm sorry."

  "Eric, you don't need to apologize to her! Even if that man's wife was present, it doesn't prove she and that man are truly innocent!" Even at a time like this, Clara is still delusional to seize the chance to sling mud at Grace.

  "Get lost!" Eric immediately roared. Clara was so scared her lower lip trembled, a look of grievance and fright on her face, as large teardrops fell one after another.

  "Eric..."

  "I said, get lost!"

  Clara started crying even harder, but she didn't dare provoke Eric further. Instead, she shot a venomous glare at Grace before turning and leaving, her eyes full of resentment.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Grace watched their performance. Only after Clara exited did she let out a cold laugh.

  Her disgust for Eric overflowed from her eyes. She didn't want to waste another word on him, but Eric obviously wouldn't let her leave so easily.

  He sidestepped to block her path, and before Grace could react, he wordlessly pulled her into a tight embrace.

  His embrace was broad, accompanied by a strong heartbeat and a pleasant woody scent, but to Grace, it only felt nauseating.

  "Eric! Let me go!" Grace struggled furiously, but she was no match for his strength. His arms clamped around her like vices.

  "I won't let go. I will never let you go." Eric felt his 'boyfriend power' was maxed out at this moment. Sometimes girls liked this kind of forceful, dominant love.

  He didn't forget to spout some self-pitying sweet talk: "Grace, come back to me, please. I really can't live without you. I've been going crazy lately. Today I went crazy, that's why I did such an absurd thing. Please save me!"

  Save you my ass! Go die!

  The next second, Grace mustered all her strength, gathering force in her hand, and struck directly towards Eric's most vulnerable spot.

  The force was so great that Grace instinctively gritted her teeth. The intimate contact made it clear Eric wasn't wearing any protective gear underneath.

  In the September weather, Eric only wore thin sweatpants. Grace's move was completely unexpected. Eric never imagined Grace would do something like this.

  A howl of agony echoed through the empty corridor. All the strength instantly drained from Eric's body.

  The two security guards behind them, who had been hesitating whether to step in and help Grace, instinctively tightened their legs, stunned with shock.

  That was too ruthless!

  Clutching his 'little general', Eric staggered backward, a thin sweat of pain breaking out on his forehead. His 1.85-meter frame hunched over like a cooked prawn.

  "Gra..." Eric was in so much pain he couldn't even speak.

  Seeing his agony, Grace expressionlessly smoothed her hair, which had been messed up during the struggle, and said, "Haven't been to the urologist yet, right? Perfect timing to get it checked out together. Saves you another trip."

  With that, she walked past Eric without looking back.

  Tears streamed uncontrollably from Eric's eyes. The pain in his heart and body pushed him to the brink of collapse. Then he let out a furious, venting roar: "Ahhh—!"

  On her way back, Grace sent a message to Mr Jones: 「Mr Jones, I'm truly sorry about today. No matter what, it's because of me that you suffered this undeserved disaster.」

  Mr Jones quickly replied: 「Miss Dorothy, no need to blame yourself. It was all a misunderstanding.」

  Grace typed out a long message but hesitated and deleted it. She knew only one thing could truly comfort the other party.

  「Mr Jones, you can send me the contract tonight. I will transfer the investment funds within three days.」

  Sure enough, Mr Jones replied: 「Miss Dorothy, your decisiveness makes my face stop hurting immediately.」

  Grace smiled wryly at the message.

  The next day, during military training under the scorching sun, Chloe was suddenly called away by a teacher.

  "Prof Young, you wanted to see me?"

  In the shade at the edge of the training ground, Prof Young looked at Chloe. Her pretty face had strands of hair stuck to it with perspiration. Even the simple act of tucking her hair back couldn't hide the girl's innate liveliness.

  No wonder the production team picked her, and after all the twists and turns, gave her a key supporting role.

  "Chloe, the production team contacted me suddenly last night. They said your qualities are excellent and not suited for playing a maid. So they've decided to cast you as the fourth female lead, 'Daisy'."

  These were Director Adam's exact words.

  Chloe was directly stunned, forgetting to react for a long moment.

  Seeing this, Prof Young smiled and patted her shoulder. "It's very rare for a freshman to get such a good opportunity. You must grasp it well."

  "Prof Young, I'm playing 'Daisy'?" Chloe asked belatedly, her face full of disbelief as she sought confirmation. "The second daughter, 'Daisy'?"

  "That's right, it's you." Prof Young affirmed emphatically.

  In an instant, tears welled up in Chloe's eyes. They were tears of joy, tears for something lost and regained, tears for a windfall.

  She remembered her sister's words: Don't be quick to feel wronged. Perhaps before you've even wiped away the tears of grievance, a better opportunity might find you.